Personal Memoirs - PBS

Chapter XI.
ADVANCE ON THE CITY OF MEXICO - BATTLE OF CONTRERAS - ASSAULT AT
CHURUBUSCO - NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE - BATTLE OF MOLINO DEL REY -
STORMING OF CHAPULTEPEC - SAN COSME - EVACUATION OF THE CITY - HALLS
OF THE MONTEZUMAS
The route followed by the army from Puebla to the City of Mexico was
over Rio Frio mountain, the road leading over which, at the highest
point, is about eleven thousand feet above tide water. The pass through
this mountain might have been easily defended, but it was not; and the
advanced division reached the summit in three days after leaving Puebla.
The City of Mexico lies west of Rio Frio mountain, on a plain backed by
another mountain six miles farther west, with others still nearer on the
north and south. Between the western base of Rio Frio and the City of
Mexico there are three lakes, Chalco and Xochimilco on the left and
Texcoco on the right, extending to the east end of the City of Mexico.
Chalco and Texcoco are divided by a narrow strip of land over which the
direct road to the city runs. Xochimilco is also to the left of the road, but
at a considerable distance south of it, and is connected with Lake Chalco
by a narrow channel. There is a high rocky mound, called El Peñon, on
the right of the road, springing up from the low flat ground dividing the
lakes. This mound was strengthened by intrenchments at its base and
summit and rendered a direct attack impracticable.
Scott’s army was rapidly concentrated about Ayotla and other points
near the eastern end of Lake Chalco. Reconnaissances were made up to
within gun-shot of El Peñon, while engineers were seeking a route by the
south side of Lake Chalco to flank the city, and come upon it from the
south and south-west. A way was found around the lake, and by the 18th
of August troops were in St. Augustin Tlalpam, a town about eleven
miles due south from the plaza of the capital. Between St. Augustin
Tlalpam and the city lie the hacienda of San Antonio and the village of
Churubusco, and south-west of them is Contreras. All these points,